Stuffing and sealing machine



April 193% I w E. ROSVEBUKJS'H 2,114,814

STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1936- 6 Sheets-Sheet lwsTNEssEs INVENTOR (2M a K v v ngdog z se v I v z-zvs ATTORN April 19,1933. w. E. ROSEBUSH STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMay 13, 1936 1 \Q w N N wk Un|. @Q Q Q% J T l 4 a nu m I Q Q @w w w *xmm MS n N INVENTOR 7V; olJZoseZm/z M ATTORNEYS P W. E. RO5EBUSH 3 1,814-

I STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed May 13, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 3IINVENTGR ATTORNEYS.

wrmasszs v April 9 w. E. RosEBus'H STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE FiledMay 13, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 WFTNESSES ATTO'RN EYs Arifi E9, 1938. E ssg 2,11%,34

STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed may 13, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet A rifi1%, ma w. RosEsusH 29E 1mm- STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed May 15,3.936 6 Sheets-$heet 6 I ATToRNEY I Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNETEE STATESPATENT GFFEQE 29 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for stuffing or inserting desiredmatter into envelopes and then sealing and discharging themsuccessively.

The machine is useful in the mailing department of large business,mercantile, commercial, and other analogous concerns which send outlarge quantities of mail.

The machine may be used advantageously with a folding machine to receivethe output of folded matter, such as sheets containing letters,communications, etc., and in timed accord with the delivery of saidmatter, stuff or insert the same severally and successively intosuitable envelopes.

3 The principal object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthe indicated character whereby the work of enclosing mail matter inenvelopes and then sealing them may be ac complished expeditiously.

2O With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and operationsof the parts as hereinafter described and claimed, and as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which 2 Figure l is a plan view of amachine embodying the features of the invention, shown in use inconjunction with a sheet folding machine by way of example;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine, the same 30 "being shown partly insection;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, portions of the machine being brokenaway and other portions thereof being shown in section;

5 1 Fig. 5 is a View of the side of the machineopposite that shown inFig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 56 of Fig.l, and illustrating the manner in which a folded sheet is stuffed or in-40 sorted into an envelope;

Figs. 7 to 11, inclusive, are fragmentary sections of the envelopemagazine, and progressively illustrating the manner in which the flap ofthe uppermost envelope of the stack is thrown 45 back: a folded sheet isintroduced in said envelope; and the flap is returned to its originalposition after said introduction of the sheet;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of the stuffing assembly latch;

50 Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the feed pad;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail section of parts of the means foroperating the flap throw member;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged side view of the raising and lowering guide whichcontrols the movement 55 of the flap throw member;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged section of the moistener font and connectedparts;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a modified form of envelope magazine;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary side View and part sec- 5 tion showing amodified form of sheet stufiing assembly;

Fig, 19 is a perspective view of a modified form of table top plate anddeflector;

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of upper and lower 10 guides for openingthe mouth of each envelope and for guiding each folded sheet fed theretointo the envelope;

Fig, 21 is a perspective View of a hanger with friction rollers. 15

Generally stated, the machine of the present invention comprises meansfor feeding empty and unsealed envelopes one at a time to apredetermined position in relation to the top of a table; means formoving the flap of each envelope to 20 open and closed position; meansfor stuffing or inserting desired matter into each envelope when itsflap is thrown back to open position; means for conditioning ormoistening the adhesive on the inside of the flap of each envelope sothat 25 it may be secured to the body of the envelope to seal thelatter; and means to effectually seal each envelope after its flap hasbeen made ready as aforesaid, and then deliver it into a' suitablereceptacle.

The machine will be capable of enclosing suitable matter, such asordinary correspondence, invoices, and other usual ofiice output inwindow envelopes; and mimeographed letters and other similar mail matterwhich require addressed envelopes may be enclosed in such latterenvelopes.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be apparentthat there is shown a magazine Ill for containing a multiplicity ofempty and unsealed envelopes i l in stack formation. The magazine Ill isopen at the top and its side Walls l2 and I3 respectively and end wallsit and 15 respectively are provided from a single piece of sheet metalbent into rectangular formation. The lower edge portions of said wallsare secured, as at it, to a rectangular bottom or base I! of wood orother suitable material. The side walls l2 and i3 project above the endwalls and each side Wall has its upper edge portion rolled throughoutits length to provide abutment means I 8, to be engaged by each envelopewhen it is uppermost. The side wall ii at one corner is separated fromthe adjacent end wall 55, and is sprung inwardly so as to exert acertain amount of resistance to prevent endwise movement of theenvelopes except the top or uppermost one of the stack. The stack ofenvelopes rests on a follower 19 within the magazine and a zigzag spring28 or equivalent means is arranged within the magazine between the basel2 and the follower E9 to move said stack upwardly and thus present oneenvelope II at a time to the abutment means i8 which engages theopposite long side edges of each envelope. In the present instance, byway of example, the magazine lil is designed to accommodate large sizeenvelopes of the standard size of 4 inches by 9 inches. The magazine itis positioned at one end of a table 25 consisting of a horizontal frame22 having depending legs 23, and a horizontal top plate 24% secured tothe opposite sides of the frame 22. The plate 2-: has formed thereon orsecured thereto a deflector 25 which extends transversely.

In the present instance, by way of example, this invention is shown inuse in conjunction with a sheet folding machine of a type as disclosedin my pending application Serial No. 64,862, filed February 20, 1936.The sheet folding machine includes a unit which folds sheetssuccessively fed thereto. These sheets for the large size envelopesmentioned hereinabove, are 8 inches wide by 11 inches long. Each sheetis given two folds spaced approximately equi-distantly transversely ofthe longitudinal axis of the sheet, so as to fit in the envelope 4inches by 9 inches. The folding machine includes standards 30, a mainroller 3i, and auxiliary rollers 32 and 33 respectively which cooperatewith the roller 3! to advance the sheets in the folding thereof. Theroller 35 is mounted on a drive shaft 34 supported for rotation bybearing on the standards 39, and each of the rollers 32 and 33 hasarbors 35 on the opposite ends which are received respectively innotches in the standard 30. The shaft 3 1 has a hand crank 36 forrotating the shaft 3 and roller 3!. The folding machine includes otherfeatures besides those mentioned, but they have been omitted becausethey are not necessary for a full understanding of the present machine.The folded sheets are discharged from the folding machine by passingbetween the rollers 3! and 33 which act on the sheets.

The table M is arranged at the discharge end of the folding machine, andits frame 22 is secured to the standards 38 at one side as at 3'1, andits other bent out side as at 38. The deflector 25 parallels the axes ofrotation of the rollers 35 ahd 33 and is disposed in proximity to thepinch of said rollers so as to deflect each folded sheet S over the topplate 24 as it passes from between the rollers, as shown in Fig. 6. Thetop plate 2 is on the level with the abutment means 18 of the magazinealso shown in 6. The flaps of the envelopes H are at the top plate sideof the magazine. The flap of an envelope is designated F.

In order to throw back the flap of each envelope and later return it toits original position, or, in other words, in order to move the flap ofeach envelope to open and closed positions, use is made of the means asfollows. A bracket E0 is secured to the frame 22 at the crank side. Thebracket 46 has formed integral therewith or secured. thereto as shown onits under side, a guide M. The guide t! receives a rod @2 for reciprocalmovement. One end of the rod 42 has a roller 43 and its oppositelaterally bent end carries an adjusting screw 4-4. The guide has a lug45 struck from its outside wall. A retractile coil spring 65 has one endthereof conits position in dotted lines shown in Fig. 1.

nected with the screw 4 and its other end is connect-ed with the lug 15.A brass spacer and wear piece t? is arranged between the bottom wall ofthe guide at and the rod 42. A flexible flap throw member 5 8 has oneend thereof loosely connected with the outer end of the bracket 58 by ascrew pivot so that said member 48 may have compound movement, or, inother words, pivotal movement in a horizontal plane and also upand-downmovement with respect to said plane. The member 33 is connected with therod 42 by a pin-and-slot connection 59, so that the member will move inresponse to the reciprocating movement imparted to the rod 42. Themember 53 is tapered almost to a point and is bowed or curved at itsfree end so as to readily engage under the envelope flap. The member 48is long enough to reach over the magazine iii a short distance beyond amiddle point on the envelope. The roller 43 carried by the rod 62 isacted on by a cam 5i secured to the shaft 34 to rotate with the latter,so that the member 18 will swing or pivot back and forth once in eachrevolution of the shaft 34. A cam or guide 52 is secured to the tableframe 22 adjacent the bracket 48, to cause the member 48 to moveupwardly and then allow it to move downwardly while moving away from themagazine, and likewise cause the member 48 to move .pwardly and thenallow it to move downwardly while moving toward the magazine. The spring45, through the intervention of the rod 42 and the pin-and-slotconnection 50, causes the member 18 to move from the position in fulllines to During that moveinen the member 48 is rocked up and down byreason of the guide 52, causing the flap of the uppermost envelope to beswung or thrown back to open position indicated in dotted lines in Fig.l. The cam 5i acting on the roller 43 causes forward movement of themember 43 and during that movement the member 58 is also rocked up anddown by reason of the guide 52, causing the flap to be moved from itsopen position to its original or closed position. The cam 5! is designedto allow the member 48 to clear the flap F in open position, and saidcam also causes a dwell in the forward movement when closing the flap sothat the envelope may be transferred to the moistener.

In order to stuff, insert or introduce the folded sheets in successioninto the envelopes as they are presented in succession to the abutmentmeans I8, use is made of an assembly 55 presently to be described. AnL-shaped member 56 is mounted on the arbor 35 of the roller 32 on thecrank side of the machine, and this constitutes a rock lever. A straightmember 57 has one end pivotally connected with the other arbor 35 of theroller 32 and serves as an arm in spaced relation to the lever 55. Thearm 5'! is pivotally connected by virtue of a half-round notch 58therein, and a clip 59 which is secured to the arm by a screw 60. Thenotch 58 receives the arbor 35 and the clip 59 shaped to the arborembraces it. Lever 56 and. arm 5'! are connected by truss rods 5! and(52. A bracer and envelope hold down element 63 of U shape is pivotallyor swingably connected with the lever 55 and arm 57, as at 64, so thatit may be raised to an out-of-the-way position when filling the magazineit! with a new supply of envelopes. Guide fingers G5 are mounted on therod 6| for pivotal movement, said rod 6| providing a horizontal pivotfor the fingers 65. These fingers are adjustable axially on the rod 6|.Each of the fingers E5 is substantially of V shape to provide portions66 and 6? respectively. The portion 66 is bowed or curvedlongitudinally, whereas the portion 6'! is straight. There are. threefingers 65.

The portion 6'! of each finger has a plurality of holes 68 therein.Spacer rods 69 with right angle terminals connect said. fingers 65 inspaced and adjusted relation. The terminals of the rods 69 arereceivable in any of the holes 68. The middle finger portion 56 islonger than the other two portions 66 due to the V shape cut of themouth edge of the back wall of the envelope. The fingers G5 areengageable with the mouth edge portion of the back wall of the body ofeach envelope to raise the same, and thus facilitate the insertion ofthe folded sheet into the envelope pocket when the flap of the envelopeis thrown back. The portions Bl of the. fingers engage a shaft 10 tolimit the downward movement of the fingers when the assembly 55 israised. The shaft 10 is supported by the lever 56 and arm 51 crosswisewith respect thereto, near the extremities of their free ends and justinside of the rod 62 which serves as a guard beyond the peripheries ofstuffing rollers ll. These rollers. H are preferably made of rubber andare mounted on the shaft 10 to rotate therewith for the purpose ofstuffing or inserting into the envelopes the folded sheets presentedthereto in succession when the assembly 55 is down. A grooved pulley 12is fast on the arbor 35 adjacent the arm El, and a grooved pulley 13 isfast on the shaft it, and a belt 14 encircles the pulleys l2 and 13.Therefore, it will be understood that the rollers ll will be rotatedclockwise as indicated in Fig. 6, in response to the rotation of theroller 32; and that the assembly ".55 may be swung up and down on said.arbors 35 while said rollers H are rotating. The rod 62 aids in givingrigidity to the assembly 55, and holds down the '.mouth of eachenvelope, thereby preventing the envelope from being wrapped around therollers H when the assembly 55 is being raised. A cam is fast on theshaft 3@ and it acts on the lever 55 to raise the assembly 55 and thenallow it to swing down for the stuffing operation once in eachrevolution of the shaft 3d, in timed accord with the operation of thethrow member A8. A suitable latch '56 is secured to the table frame. 22in operative position with respect to the lever 56. This latch is shownmost clearly in Figs. 3, 4, and 12. The latch consists of a tubularguide ll secured as at E8 to the bracket 58, a latch member '58 having aplunger 89 which moves in the guide El, and a compression spring 8|arranged in the guide and having one end thereof bearing on the plunger8%, and its other end bearing on the end wall of the guide- The latchmember if! is thus mounted to slide back and forth, the forward movementbeing limited by one of the screws '18. The assembly 55 may be swung upto an outof-the-way position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4,when it is necessary to replenish the magazine it] with envelopes. Thelatch member 19 will move back to allow the lower end of the lever 56 toclear it whereupon the latch member if; will return under the action ofthe spring 8| to a latching position, in which position it will beengaged by the lower end of the lever 56 to hold the assembly 55 up inthe out-of-the-way position. The latch member 79 may be manipulated torelease the assembly 55 for cooperation of its lever 56 with the cam 35.

In order to advance each envelope a predetermined distance after it hasreceived the folded sheet, for the moistening of the flap adhesive andthe sealing operation, use is made of a feeder presently to bedescribed. A rocker B5 is supported by a bearing 86 on the under side ofthe bracket 40 and a bearing 87 secured to one of the legs 23 of theframe 22. The rocker is made of cross-sectionally round rod stock in onepiece to provide an axle portion 89, radius portions 90 and 9|respectively on the opposite ends of the portion 89, stop portion 92 incontinuation of the portion 90 at a right angle thereto, and a crankportion 93 in continuation of the portion 9| at a right angle thereto.The portion 89 is received by the bearings 86 and 81. A coil spring 94surrounds the portion 89 and has one end thereof secured to the portion89 and its opposite end is secured to the bearing 86 as shown in Fig. 3.A

-wear piece 95 is secured to the portion 90, said piece 95 being actedon by a cam 96 fast on the shaft 34 to rock the rocker 85 in onedirection for advancing the envelope, the spring 88 serving to returnthe rocker 85. Use is made of a feed pad 9'! consisting of a metal back98 providing a heel 99, and a rubber friction element l 80 is secured tosaid back 98. A link Hll has one end pivotally connected with the crankportion 93 and its other end pivotally connected with a lug l 32 on theback 98 of the pad. The cam 96 acting on the wear piece 95 and throughthe intervention of the rocker 85 and link Ifll, causes the pad 91 tomove forward, thereby advancing the uppermost envelope in the magazineIll. This takes place while there is a dwell in the forward movement ofthe flap throw member 48 in closing the flap of the uppermost envelope.The pad 97 is returned instantly by the spring 94 which acts on the axleportion 39 of the rocker. The portion 92 of the rocker engages thebracket 46 to limit the return movement of the rocker and therefore thepad 97. The pad is moved forward and backward once in each revolution ofthe shaft 34, and this action is in timed accord with the operation ofthe flap operating means and the stuffing means.

In order to condition or moisten the film of adhesive substance on theinside of the flap of each envelope as it is advanced by the pad 91, useis made of a moistener presently to be described. A water font or bottleN25 has a resilient discharge control means M6 on its lower outlet end.The lower end of the font N35 is received in a socket I01 formed on oneend of a water distributing tube I08 so that said tube will be incommunication with the font and project laterally with respect thereto.The tube 38 is flat and tapered, there being an air vent Hi9 therein,also a series of fine discharge holes H0 and a very narrow longitudinalslit HI between the series of holes H9. When the tube I88 is filled withwater the discharge means i 66 will be sealed stopping the outflow ofwater from the font E85. When the level of the water in the tube dropsair enters through the vent E09 and allows the outflow of water from thefont. The tube I08 projects in the path of the flaps of the envelopes asthey are successively advanced by the pad 97. The tube N38 has a springclip H2 on the under side thereof at the socket ml, and an L-shaped.support H3 on the frame 22 receives the clip l 12 to detachably supportthe moistener in operative position. The flap of each envelope as closedby the throw member 48 is always partly raised. Hence as the envelope isadvanced the flap will pass in contact with the upper surface of thetube, and the adhesive substance of the flap will take up or be smearedwith water passing out of the holes H and -slit III. The flap may thenbe secured to the body of the envelope to effectually seal the latter.

In order to aid in moistening the flaps of the envelopes and also tosecure the flaps to seal the envelopes as they are fed in succession bythe feeder hereinbefore described, use is made of means as follows. Apair of pressure rollers I20 and I2I respectively are mounted forrotation. The roller I20 has a shaft I22 whose opposite ends extendthrough slots respectively formed in spaced standards I23 arranged atthe discharge end of the magazine. The roller I2I has a shaft I2 whoseopposite ends are received by and project beyond bearings respectivelyby the standards. Coiled tension springs I25 connect the adjacent endsof the shafts I22 and I24 respectively to maintain a desired amount ofpressure of the rollers I20 and I2I, and to yieldingly hold the rollerI20 in cooperative relation to the roller I2I. A gear I26 is fast on theshaft I24 between one end of the roller HI and the adjacent standard. Agear I2'I fast on a shaft I28 meshes with the gear I26. The shaft I28 issupported for rotation by bearings I29 on the standards I23respectively. A bevel pinion gear I30 fast on the shaft I28 meshes witha bevel drive gear I3I fast on the drive shaft 34. Thus the rollers I20and I2I are kept in motion while the shaft 34 is rotating. The feederadvances the envelopes containing enclosures successively to the pinchof the rollers I20 and I2I and they positively continue the movement ofeach envelope delivered thereto by the pad 91. At the same time therollers I20 and I2I exert pressure on the opposite sides of theenvelope. The flap of each envelope in passing between the rollers I20and I2I is forced down in contact with the moistener tube I08 forthorough wetting of the adhesive on the flap. The rollers I 20 and I2Ifinally press the flap down against the body of the envelope to secureit and so sealing the envelope.

Briefly the sequence of operation is as follows. By operating the crank36, folded sheets are delivered successively by the rollers SI and 33.In timed accord therewith the throw member 48 engages under the fiap ofthe uppermost envelope in the magazine thereby throwing it back to openposition over and in contact with the top plate 24. At the same time thefolded sheet is being advanced by the rollers 3i and 33 to the deflector25, and the assembly 55 is moving downwardly to bring the rollers IIinto cooperative relation with the plate 24. The curved portions 66 ofthe guide fingers ride on the thrown back flap of the envelope as theassembly 55 lowers and engage the mouth edge portion of the back wall ofthe envelope body raising the same as shown in Fig. 6. The element 63restrains the raising of said back wall and keeps the envelope inengagement with the abutment means I8. As the folded sheet advances bythe action of the rollers 3i and 33 guided by the deflector 25, theleading edge of the folded sheet, presented to the rollers II willadvance the sheet between the envelope flap and the guide portions 66into the pocket of the envelope. The assembly 55 commences to raise andat the same time the throw member 48, which has moved beyond the flap,starts returning under the fiap, which raises itself slightly, the flapbeing returned by the member 48 to its closed position in which itremains raised somewhat as shown in Fig. 11. The feed pad 01 advancesthe envelope with its contents to a point to be gripped by the rollersI20 and I2I,

whereupon pad 9! instantly returns to its retracted position. At thistime the throw member 48 dwells momentarily and then comes on to engagethe flap of the succeeding envelope. The adhesive on the flap of theadvance envelope will be moistened by the tube I08 and the flap willthen be secured to seal the envelope by the rollers I20 and I2I whichdischarge it into any suitable receptacle. In Fig. 7 the fiap of theuppermost envelope is about to be thrown back to open position. In Fig.8 the fiap is shown partly thrown back. In Fig. 9 the flap is thrownfully back. In Fig. 10 the folded sheet is being stuffed or insertedinto the pocket of the envelope while the flap is held down. In Fig. 11the flap is shown in closed position with the folded sheet inside theenvelope.

The assembly 55 may be swung up into an outof-the-way position and thenbe retained therein by the latch l6 until released. The element 63 maybe swung back when the assembly is latched up, thereby making it an easymatter to put an additional supply of empty and unsealed envelopes inthe magazine Ill. The moistener may be readily detached and the font Iseparated from the socket I01 to replenish the font with water or othersuitable liquid whenever necessary.

In Figs. 17 to 21 inclusive, there are shown certain modifications ofthe invention suitable for handling envelopes of relatively stiff paperwhich give considerable resiliency to the flaps. Accordingly the wall I3of the magazine I0 is cut out as at I32 at the top on a curved line, andthe curved edge is bounded by a wire I40 on the inside of the wall I3,thus constituting abutment means I8. The separation of the side wall I2from the adjacent end Wall I5 at one corner of the magazine is indicatedat I M. In this manner the side wall I2 is sprung inwardly so as tooffer resistance to the envelopes and thus prevent endwise movementthereof except the top or uppermost one of the stack as explainedhereinbefore. By cutting away a portion of the wall I3 of the magazineas shown in Fig. 17 the flap of each envelope presented to the abutmentmeans will be effectually sprung upwardly so as to be engaged by thethrow member 40, and, at the same time, the mouth of the envelope willbe opened to readily receive the folded sheet. In order to extend themovement of the folded sheets as they pass from the rollers 3| and 33,the defiector 25 carried by the top plate 24 of the table has arrangedwith relation thereto rubber rollers I42 mounted on a rod I43 whosedownturned ends are secured as at I44- to the plate 24. The deflector 25is cut away as at I45 to accommodate the rollers I42. The rollers I42cooperate with the auxiliary roller 33. The top plate 24 is cut away asat H36 in order to provide clearance for the fiap of each envelope.

In lieu of the guide fingers 65 use may be made of an upper guide I l?and a lower guide I48 which cooperates with the guide I I"! for thepurpose of opening the mouth of the envelope pocket and for guiding afolded sheet into said pocket. The guide I4? is secured by screws I49 tocollars I50 carried by a rod IEI. The rod I5I is supported by themembers 56 and 5'1 of the assembly 55. The screws I49 bind on the rodI5! leaving but little play for the guide I41. A hanger I52 is supportedby the members 58 and 5?, the hanger being secured by nuts I53 appliedto threaded portions extending through the members 56 and 5?,respectively. The hanger provides a shaft I 54 for rubber rollers I55mounted on said shaft in spaced relation. The lower guide I 48 issecured to the hanger I52 by screws I56 carried by the shaft I54. Theguide I43 is cut away as at l5! to accommodate the rollers I55 and theguide I4? is also cut away as at I58 for this purpose. The guides I41and I48 have portions I59 and I60 respectively which engage the entranceedge portion of the back wall of each envelope to flex said wallupwardly upon the downward movement of the assembly 55, and saidportions I59 and I60 also serve to guide each folded sheet into theenvelope pocket assisted by the stuffing rollers II and the rollers I55which cooperate with the rollers II. The cutaway I46 provides clearancefor the guides I47 and I28, and the hanger I52 and the rollers I55carried thereby.

Referring to Fig. 18 it will be apparent that the folded sheet S as itenters the envelope II is being gripped and driven at three points andtherefore controls the movement of the sheet in such manner as to insureits introduction into the pocket of the envelope.

It is to be understood that the machine of the present invention may befed by means other than a folding machine and that cards and closelyanalogous matter may be stuffed or inserted into suitable containers.

It is further to be understood that details of construction may bemodified and the parts rearranged without departing from the inventionas expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means tofeed empty unsealed envelopes one at a time to a predetermined position,a movable flap throw member, means to perate said member to throw backthe flap of each envelope so that desired matter may be insertedthereinto while in said position and then return said flap, meansoperable to insert said matter into the envelope, means to condition theflap so that it may be secured to'the body of the envelope to seal thelatter, and means to secure said flap for the aforesaid purpose.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means tofeed empty unsealed envelopes one at a time to a predetermined position,a movable flap throw member, means to operate said member to throw backthe flap of each envelope so that desired matter may be insertedthereinto while in said position and then return said flap, meansoperable to insert said matter into the envelope, means to moisten theusual adhesive on the flap so that it may be secured to the body of theenvelope to seal the latter, and means to secure said flap for theaforesaid purpose.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means tofeed empty unsealed envelopes one at a time to a predetermined position,a movable flap throw member, means to operate said member to throw backthe flap of each envelope so that desired matter may be insertedthereinto while in said position and then return said flap, meansoperable to insert said matter into the envelope, means to move eachenvelope after the insertion of said matter, means to moisten theadhesive on each envelope flap after the insertion of said matter andupon the movement of the envelope by said fourth means, so that the flapmay be secured to the body of the envelope to seal the latter, and meansto secure said flap, for the aforesaid purpose, upon the continuedmovement of the envelope by said fourth means.

4. In a machine of the character described. the combination with a sheetfolding device, of a movable flap throw member, means to operate saidmember to throw back the flaps respectively of envelopes fedsuccessively thereto and to return said flaps, and a stuffer operable toseverally stuff sheets folded by said device into said envelopes whiletheir flaps are thrown back, said folding device, flap throw memberoperating means and the stuffer operating in timed accord. 5. In amachine of the character described, the combination with a sheet foldingdevice, of means operable to throw back the flaps respectively ofenvelopes fed successively thereto and to return said flaps, and astuffer operable to severally stuff sheets folded by said device intosaid envelopes while their flaps are thrown back, said stuifercomprising a frame movable into and out of a feeding position, feedrollers mounted in said frame, and driving means to rotate said rollers.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a sheetfolding device, of means operable to throw back the flaps respectivelyof envelopes fed successively thereto and to return said flaps, and astuffer operable to severally stuff sheets folded by said device intosaid envelopes while their flaps are thrown back, said stuffercomprising a frame movable into and out of a feeding position, feedrollers mounted in said frame, means to move the frame as aforesaid, anddriving means to rotate said rollers, said frame moving means beingoperated by a movable part of said folding device, and said drivingmeans being operated by another movable part of said folding device.

7. In a machine of the character described, a device for throwing backand returning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successivelythereto, said device comprising a movable flap throw member, and meansto cause the movement of said member to throw back the flap of eachenvelope from a normally closed position to an open position and toreturn the flap to the closed position,

8. In a machine of the character described, a device for throwing backand returning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successivelythereto, said device comprising a movable flap throw member, and meansto cause the move- I ment of said member to throw back the fiap of eachenvelope from a normally closed position to an open position and toreturn the flap to the closed position, said means including areciprocable rod connected with said member, and a resilient element tocause the return movement of said rod.

9. In a machine of the character described, a device for throwing backand returning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successivelythereto, said device comprising a pivotally mounted flap throw member,and means to cause the movement of said member to throw back the flap ofeach envelope from a normally closed position to an open position and toreturn the flap to the closed position.

10. In a machine of the character described, a device for throwing backand returning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successivelythereto, said device comprising a pivotally mounted flap throw member,and means to cause the movement of said member, said means including areciprocable rod pivotally connected with said member, and a resilientelement to cause the return movement of said rod.

ll. The combination with a sheet folding machine including a rotatableelement; of a stuffer which stuffs the folded sheets issuing from themachine, severally into suitable envelopes, a plate on which the foldedsheets may slide, said stuffer comprising a frame, feed rollers mountedon said frame, and driving means between the rollers and said rotatableelement to rotate said rollers, said frame being mounted for movementwith respect to said plate to put the rollers into and out ofcooperative relation thereto, the rollers in the cooperative relation tothe plate causing the stuffing of the folded sheets into said envelopes.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a devicefor throwing back the flaps of envelopes from their normally closedposition to open position and then returning the flaps of envelopesrespectively fed successively thereto, and means for successivelyfeeding envelopes so that their flaps may be acted on by said device forthe purpose mentioned.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of amagazine to contain in stack formation a multiplicity of unsealed emptyenvelopes, said magazine having an abutment engageable by each of theenvelopes presented thereto so as to partly raise its fiap, means in themagazine to exert upward force on said stack to feed one envelope at atime into engagement with said abutment, and a device operable to throwback the partly raised flap of each envelope, so that matter may beinserted therein, and then return said flap.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination of amagazine to contain in stack formation a multiplicity of unsealed emptyenvelopes, said magazine having an abutment engageable by each of theenvelopes presented thereto so as to partly raise its flap, means in themagazine to exert upward force on said stack to feed one envelope at atime into engagement with said abutment, and a rigid member mounted forpivotal movement in a plane above said abutment to throw back the partlyraised flap of each envelope, so that matter may be inserted thereinto,and then return said fiap.

15. In a machine for stuffing suitable matter in envelopes successivelyretained in a substantially horizontal position with the flap of eachenvelope thrown back in the plane of the body thereof, a horizontalplate on which said flap may rest, a frame above said plate movable withrespect to the plate, fingers carried by said frame to engage the mouthportion of the back Wall of the envelope body to raise the same, as theframe is brought down bringing said fingers in contact with said plate,and means carried by said frame operable to feed said matter, whileresting on the plate, between the latter and the fingers into theenvelope.

16. In a machine for stuffing suitable matter in envelopes successivelyretained in a substantially horizontal position with the fiap of eachenvelope thrown back in the plane of the body thereof, a horizontalplate on which said flap may rest, a frame above said plate swingable ona horizontal axis with respect to the plate, fingers carried by saidframe to engage the mouth portion of the back wall of the envelope bodyto raise the same, as the frame is brought down bringing said fingers incontact with said plate, and means carried by said frame operable tofeed said matter, while resting on the plate, between the latter and thefingers into the envelope.

17. In a machine for stuffing suitable matter in envelopes successivelyretained in a substantially horizontal position with the fiap of eachenvelope thrown back in the plane of the body thereof, a horizontalplate on which said fiap may rest, a frame above said plate movable withrespect to the plate, fingers swingaole on a horizontal shaft carried bysaid frame to engage the mouth portion of the back wall of the envelopebody to raise the same, as the frame is brought down bringing saidfingers in contact with said plate, and means carried by said frameoperable to feed said matter, while resting on the plate, between thelatter and the fingers into the envelope.

18. In a machine for stuffing suitable matter in envelopes successivelyretained in a substantially horizontal position with the fiap of eachenvelope thrown back in the plane of the body thereof, a horizontalplate on which said flap may rest, a frame above said plate movable withrespect to the plate, fingers carried by said frame to engage the mouthportion of the back wall of the envelope body to raise the same, as theframe is brought down bringing said fingers in contact with said plate,and driven rollers carried by said frame operable to feed said matter,while resting on the plate, between the latter and the fingers into theenvelope.

19. In a machine for stuffing suitable matter into envelopessuccessively retained in a substantially horizontal position with theflap of each envelope thrown back in the plane of the body thereof, ahorizontal plate on which said flap may rest, a frame above said plateswingable on a horizontal axis with respect to said plate, fingerspivotally mounted on said frame to engage the mouth portion of the backwall of the envelope body to raise the wall, as the frame is broughtdown bringing the said fingers in contact with said plate, and feedrollers mounted on said frame to rotate on a horizontal axis to feedsaid matter, while resting on said plate, between the latter and thefingers into said envelope.

20. In a machine for stuffing suitable matter into envelopessuccessively retained in a substantially horizontal position with theflap of each envelope in open position, a stuffing assembly mounted toswing up and down on a horizontal axis, said assembly including upperand lower guides for directing said matter into each envelope.

21. In a machine for stufiing suitable matter into envelopessuccessively retained in a substantially horizontal position with thefiap of each envelope in open position, a stuffing assembly mounted toswing up and down on a horizontal axis, said assembly including upperand lower guides and cooperative rollers for directing said matter intoeach envelope.

22. In a machine of the character described, a device to feed empty andunsealed envelopes one at a time to a predetermined position with itsflap partly raised from the back wall, said device including a magazinewhich holds the envelopes in stack formation, one side wall of themagazine being higher than the other side wall and the latter beingadjacent the flap side of the envelopes, and each of said walls havingabutment means extending longitudinally on the inside thereofencountered by the envelopes in turn.

23. In a machine of the character described, a device to feed empty andunsealed envelopes one at a time to a predetermined position with itsflap partly raised from the back wall, said device including a magazinewhich holds the envelopes in stack formation, one side wall of themagazine being cut away at its upper edge, and both side walls of themagazine having abutment means encountered by the envelopes in turn.

24. In a machine of the character described, a device to feed empty andunsealed envelopes one at a time to a predetermined position with itsflap partly raised from the back wall, said device including a magazinewhich holds the envelopes in stack formation, one side wall of themagazine being higher than the other side wall and the latter wall beingadjacent the flap side of the envelopes and being cut awayat the centerand upper edge thereof, and both of said side walls having abutmentmeans extending longitudinally of the upper marginal portions thereofencountered by the envelopes in turn.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a devicefor throwing back and returning the flaps of envelopes respectively fedsuccessively thereto, said device comprising a movable fiap throwmember, and means to cause movement of said member to throw back theflap of each envelope from its normally closed position to an openposition and to return the flap to the closed position; and a stufl'erto stuff material into each envelope after its flap has been thrownback. K

26. In a machine of the class described, a device for throwing back andreturning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successively thereto,said device including a flap throw member, a pivot with which saidmember is connected so that said member may swing laterally while itpivots up and down with respect to said pivot, means operable to swingsaid member, and means to cause said member to pivot up and down inresponse to the operation of said first means.

2'7. In a machine of the class described, a device for throwing back andreturning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successively thereto,said device including a flap throw member, a pivot with which saidmember is connected so I that said member may swing laterally while itpivots up and down with respect to said pivot, a reciprocating rodhaving a pin and slot connection with said member, a retractile springwhich acts on said rod, and means to cause said member to pivot up anddown in response to the operation of said rod.

28. In a machine of the class described, a device for throwing back andreturning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successively thereto,said device including a flap throw member, a pivot with which saidmember is connected so that said member may swing laterally while itpivots up and down with respect to said pivot, means operable to swingsaid member, and a cam on which said member rides to cause saidmember'to pivot up and down in response to the operation of said means.

29. In a machine of the class described, a device for throwing back andreturning the flaps of envelopes respectively fed successively thereto,said device including a flap actuating member consisting of a taperedblade, a vertical pivot with which said member is connected so that saidmember may swing laterally while it pivots up and down on said pivot,means operable to swing said member, and means to cause said member tomove up and down in response to the operation of said first means.

WALDO E. ROSEBUSH.

